Indianness Podcast: Harini Gopalakrishnan on Learning, Integrity, and Career Growth

🎧 How does integrity and a strong foundation shape career success? In this engaging episode of the Indianness Podcast, Sanjay Puri interviews Harini Gopalakrishnan, CTO for Life Sciences at Snowflake. Harini reflects on her career journey, from her early days in Chennai to becoming a leader in healthcare technology.

📌 Topics Covered:

• The impact of growing up in a joint family
• How her grandmother’s lessons on integrity shaped her career
• The value of foundational knowledge in professional success
• Why saying "no" can build more trust than saying "yes"
• How continuous learning and adaptability are key to career longevity

🚀 Watch now to learn how Harini’s approach to integrity and learning drives her success!

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/harinigopalakrishnan/

⏱️ Timestamps:

0:00 - Podcast Episode Highlights

1:05 - Harini’s early life: Born in Kerala, raised in Chennai, bilingual roots, and joint family upbringing.

2:05 - Emphasis on education and gender equality in her family.

3:03 - Memories of grandparents and their influence (moral values, music lessons).

4:03 - Learning veena and lifelong lessons from foundational skills.

5:15 - Career advice: Importance of foundational knowledge and adaptability.

7:34 - Balancing passion vs. practicality in career choices.

10:14 - Transition to college: Networking, curiosity, and cultural adaptability.

13:05 - Discussing integrity and saying "no" in professional settings.

17:38 - Choosing computer science: Pragmatism and societal expectations.

20:07 - Undergrad experience: Fun vs. academic rigor, soft skills.

24:27 - First job at Cognizant: Corporate challenges and self-discovery.

30:01 - Pursuing a master’s in bioinformatics: Risk-taking and career pivots.

34:06 - Career inflection points: Moving to tech, international exposure.

39:56 - Working in Europe and cultural adaptability lessons.

46:04 - Leadership style influenced by Indian values (integrity, customer focus).

50:10 - Failures and resilience: Returning to India post-master’s.

53:44 - Role of mentors: Grandmother, professors, and customer guidance.

55:34 - Lightning round: Coffee lover, remote work preference, intuition over data.

In this episode of the Indianness Podcast, we sit down with Anjana Harve, EVP & CIO at BJ’s Wholesale Club, to explore the intersection of leadership, innovation, and digital transformation. With a career spanning multiple industries, she shares insights on navigating AI advancements, leading global teams, and fostering an inclusive tech culture.

💡 Key Takeaways:

✔ How to drive large-scale digital transformation across diverse industries.

✔ The future of AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making.

✔ Lessons from leading Fortune 500 companies through technological shifts.

✔ The importance of mentorship and diverse leadership in tech.

🚀 This episode is a must-watch for aspiring leaders, tech professionals, and innovators!

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjanaharve/

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 - Episode Highlights

01:05 - Early Life & Roots in India

03:46 - Father’s Influence: Integrity & Perception

08:11 - Leadership Lessons from a Judge

13:23 - Mother’s Role: Curiosity & Self-Improvement

17:00 - Adapting to Change & Building Connections

20:14 - Work-Life Balance & Family Feedback

25:39 - Career Journey: From India to the U.S.

30:27 - Defining Indianness in Leadership

36:09 - Mentorship & Inflection Points

44:47 - Lightning Round Q&A

52:55 - Final Takeaways

In this episode, Dr. Pradeep Khosla reflects on his career, the role of mentorship, and the importance of embracing challenges. Learn how his Indian roots influenced his approach to leadership and innovation in the U.S. education system.

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pradeepkhosla/

https://chancellor.ucsd.edu/about/about-the-chancellor/index.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pradeep_Khosla

On this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Pramath Raj Sinha, Founder and Trustee at Ashoka University, Founding Dean of ISB, Founder of Harappa Education and President at upGrad. Dr. Sinha is a visionary leader in education and entrepreneurship. He has reshaped higher education in India and is now setting his sights on the entire world.

Dr. Sinha shares how his upbringing, his father and his sisters’ resilience inspired and motivated him. He discusses his views on India’s educational system, the skills educational leaders should possess and how even introverts can learn them.

Key Takeaways:

(02:18) Dr. Sinha’s upbringing in Patna and his father’s influence.

(03:54) Leadership lessons that shaped Dr. Sinha’s career.

(10:22) How mentorship impacted his career and life.

(20:16) Dr. Sinha’s sister’s challenges and resilience.

(39:02) On the straitjacketed Indian education system.

(54:17) On creating a plan for Malaysia’s economic growth.

(57:28) Learning from the best universities and applying it to the Indian context.

(58:06) The importance of giving students a choice.

(01:00:29) Developing tribe and leadership skills online.

(1:03:06) The importance of solving the right problems in entrepreneurship.

(1:07:19) Introverts can develop people skills and be effective leaders.

Resources Mentioned:

Dr. Pramath Raj Sinha -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pramathsinha/

Ashoka University | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/school/ashoka-university/

Ashoka University | Website -

https://www.ashoka.edu.in

upGrad LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ueducation/

upGrad | Website -

https://www.upgrad.com

Indian School of Business (ISB) -

https://www.isb.edu

Harappa Education -

https://harappa.education

Thanks for listening to the Indianness podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation with leaders of Indian origin. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the show.

#Indian #IndiaBusiness #India #Indianness

On this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Ashish Jha, former White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator and Dean of the Brown University School of Public Health. Dr. Jha shares his inspiring journey from growing up in a small village in Bihar, India, to being asked by the President of the United States to join his administration. He also opens up about facing racism in high school and how support at Columbia University helped shape his dual identity and career.

Key Takeaways:



(03:01) Dr. Jha’s childhood memories in Bihar.

(08:51) The great unknown of moving to Canada.

(17:11) The move to New Jersey and the harsh reality of facing racism.

(19:25) Facing a high school teacher who told him to change his name.

(25:47) Learning to embrace both his Indian and American identities.

(38:59) The President’s invitation to join the White House as COVID-19 Response Coordinator.

(40:00) The privilege of working in the West Wing as an Indian immigrant.

(41:25) The value of building and maintaining meaningful relationships.

(42:34) Why service is one of the most enriching experiences in life.

Resources Mentioned:

Dr. Ashish Jha -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashish-jha-b9aab41/

Columbia University -

https://www.columbia.edu

Brown University School of Public Health -

https://graduateprograms.brown.edu/graduate-program/public-health-mph?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=MPH&utm_content=traffic&creative=613468509292&keyword=brown%20university%20masters%20in%20public%20health&matchtype=b&network=g&device=c&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwreW2BhBhEiwAavLwfLqUIDqHZqKhWapyYPIskdsJHEW872WYuwCVEI0U4PObifvPrFTEdxoCRUIQAvD_BwE

Harvard Medical School -

https://hms.harvard.edu

University of Toronto -

https://www.utoronto.ca

World Health Organization (WHO) -

https://www.who.int

Thanks for listening to the Indianness podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation with leaders of Indian origin. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the show.

#Indian #IndiaBusiness #India #Indianness

Community is the foundation on which success is built. A strong support network opens opportunities and helps us overcome even the most challenging adversity.



On this episode, I’m joined by Mamta Patel Nagaraja, Associate Chief Scientist for Exploration and Applied Research at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, to explore her unconventional journey from a small town in Texas to a prominent role at NASA.

Key Takeaways:

(00:16) The value of making decisions based on available information.

(06:06) Overcoming academic and social challenges in school.

(12:21) The drive for academic excellence and early leadership roles.

(27:33) Critical decisions and sacrifices made in pursuit of becoming an astronaut.

(30:25) The importance of following rules and the impact of small decisions.

(33:28) Dealing with rejection and finding new dreams after setbacks.

(41:08) Visualization and storytelling as techniques for dreaming new dreams.

(50:59) The importance of empathy, listening, and making thoughtful decisions.

(57:16) The impact of 9/11 on personal safety and awareness.

Resources Mentioned:

Mamta Patel Nagaraja -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mamtapatelnagaraja/

NASA | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/nasa/

NASA | Website -

https://www.nasa.gov

Mamta Patel Nagaraja -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamta_Patel_Nagaraja

Thanks for listening to the Indianness podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation with leaders of Indian origin. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the show.

#Indian #IndiaBusiness #India #Indianness

On this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Ruchir Puri, Chief Scientist of IBM Research, IBM Fellow, and Vice President of IBM Technology & Technical Community. Dr. Puri shares his journey from Kurukshetra’s National Institute of Technology to spearheading innovations at IBM, reflecting on how his early fascination with electronics and mathematics shaped his career. It’s a story of passion, perseverance and profound impact.



Key Takeaways:

(00:11) Contributing new knowledge rather than just absorbing information is crucial.

(01:22) Early life experiences in a university campus environment.

(04:18) The significance of a safe and stimulating childhood in shaping future leaders.

(16:35) A love for mathematics and logical problem-solving shaped Dr. Puri’s academic and professional trajectory.

(33:02) Dr. Puri’s passion for electronics and building things from an early age guided his career choices.

(49:21) The importance of having mentors and role models in shaping one’s career and personal growth.

(53:32) Success is defined by contributing to a body of knowledge and having a respected, credible standing in one’s field.

(01:02:45) Focus on the work itself rather than the results to achieve excellence.

(01:04:10) The role of mentors, including family members and colleagues, is indispensable in achieving success.

Resources Mentioned:

Dr. Ruchir Puri -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruchir-puri-b117021a/

IBM Research -

https://research.ibm.com

NIT Kurukshetra -

https://nitkkr.ac.in

IIT Kanpur -

https://www.iitk.ac.in

Thanks for listening to the Indianness podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation with leaders of Indian origin. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the show.

#Indian #IndiaBusiness #India #Indianness

Success is not a straight line; it's about seizing opportunities and learning at every step.



In this episode, I’m joined by Raju Narisetti, Leader, Global Publishing at McKinsey & Company. Raju’s 33-year career spans media and publishing across continents, from launching Mint in India to The Wall Street Journal. His unconventional journey from Hyderabad to leading global media is a testament to resilience and lifelong learning.

Key Takeaways:

(01:35) The influence of a diverse cultural background on Raju's career.

(03:29) The value of education and its transformative power.

(06:42) Overcoming challenges during his schooling years.

(09:32) How early career experiences shaped Raju’s professional path.

(16:49) The value of rural management education in building resilience.

(20:10) The significance of education in overcoming life's challenges.

(34:15) The critical role of mentors in personal and professional development.

(40:09) The importance of embracing new opportunities and continuous learning.

(51:56) Managing setbacks and turning them into learning experiences.

Resources Mentioned:

Raju Narisetti -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajunarisetti/

McKinsey & Company -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/mckinsey/

”Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande -

https://atulgawande.com/book/being-mortal/

Thanks for listening to the Indianness podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation with leaders of Indian origin. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the show.

#Indian #IndiaBusiness #India #Indianness